tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24941978887923667532024-01-23T05:22:36.089-07:00Notes From the Writing ChairWelcome the blog of Angie Lofthouse, Sci-fi Author.
<b>Enjoy the view from the chair!</b>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.comBlogger460125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-66267364998621352972015-03-20T15:09:00.005-06:002015-03-20T15:09:27.283-06:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">This blog has permanently moved to <a href="http://angielofthouse.com/">AngieLofthouse.com</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please join me there, or feel free to browse through the archives!</span></span></div>
Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-40887854353776229842015-03-17T10:16:00.000-06:002015-03-17T10:17:44.084-06:00Moving!Well, gang, it's been fun here at Notes From the Writing Chair. I've been blogging here for almost seven years! <span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But this will be my last post.</span></span></span> I feel the time has come to relocate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivR7QNBqqYQhVcKM16CjaPZpPlZ3nxHuMUB-dCNf8rfSPAliplXaY_uKcsN3FHtwt3XhdHb_3FlaV9iBkBrmmtypGKEQcl39TNpw9xRi-Uqk3yAxKMx-pDynDGF_QdpRB6fy1iNrLyZkzx/s1600/P1010052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivR7QNBqqYQhVcKM16CjaPZpPlZ3nxHuMUB-dCNf8rfSPAliplXaY_uKcsN3FHtwt3XhdHb_3FlaV9iBkBrmmtypGKEQcl39TNpw9xRi-Uqk3yAxKMx-pDynDGF_QdpRB6fy1iNrLyZkzx/s1600/P1010052.JPG" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least I'll still have my view</td></tr>
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This blog is moving over to my website, <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://angielofthouse.com/">angielofthouse.com</a>.</span></span> I'll be blogging about books, science, geekdom, family, faith, and whatever else piques my interest, but not so much about writing anymore. I do hope you'll come join me over there. I'll also be offering free short fiction for your reading enjoyment.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your support, comments and friendship over the years. </span></span></span></div>
Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-92135842353413212362014-12-08T10:50:00.001-07:002014-12-08T10:50:44.840-07:00PossibilitiesMy wise calendar told me this month:<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">Possibilities are the buttons of the spirit...they hold together our dreams</span></span>.<br />
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Well, that really struck me. I need something to hold together my dreams right now. So I made myself a jar full of buttons to remind me of the possibilities.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Here's to 2015 and a world full of possibilities! What are your dreams for next year?</span></span></div>
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P.S. There is still time to <a href="http://www.angielofthouse.com/2014/12/enter-spirits-bright-christmas.html" target="_blank">enter my big giveaway</a>. Four signed books, a $10 Amazon card, and homemade toffee! </div>
Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-47420919623357895402014-12-03T21:25:00.000-07:002014-12-03T21:25:12.378-07:00Spirits Bright Christmas Giveaway!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCoOGj3hUjO1jFcrTYfBgPyNP3q6PKfmHtrU2mk25PvtPBGO64OWC-x8jGeLFybAkoV287malsBHlDWIhq9H6YXJp97zOQNqJ_rYEUIzxqFotzb18RfD9FTIz1yBTYE_MjNOoT8x-wfA/s1600/Spirits+JustCoversmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCoOGj3hUjO1jFcrTYfBgPyNP3q6PKfmHtrU2mk25PvtPBGO64OWC-x8jGeLFybAkoV287malsBHlDWIhq9H6YXJp97zOQNqJ_rYEUIzxqFotzb18RfD9FTIz1yBTYE_MjNOoT8x-wfA/s1600/Spirits+JustCoversmall.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a>Hi all! To celebrate the release of Spirits Bright and the most wonderful time of the year, I'm holding a giveaway on my <a href="http://www.angielofthouse.com/2014/12/enter-spirits-bright-christmas.html" target="_blank">website</a>. Grand prize is a signed copy of all my books, a $10 Amazon gift card, and homemade Christmas candy. Mmmmm. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.angielofthouse.com/2014/12/enter-spirits-bright-christmas.html" target="_blank">Come check it out! </a></span></div>
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Here's a little excerpt from "Spirits Bright," the title story:<br />
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<i>Right in the middle of her best-ever game of X-treme Tic-Tac Cubed, GlobalVillage vanished. “What?” Jacey almost dropped her controller in surprise. No Input marched in multi-colored letters across the faintly glowing holo-wall.<br />That wasn’t possible. She hit every button on the controller half a dozen times with no effect. GlobalVillage was gone. She pressed her hand to her chest in an attempt to quell the panic rising there. She could handle this. Right? <br />She glanced at the half-eaten nutribar. She had no other food in the house. Trembling, she ran a hand through her tangled hair. It was Christmas for crying out loud! What was she supposed to do now?</i>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-6847710181961279602014-11-27T05:00:00.000-07:002014-11-27T05:00:01.765-07:00Get Spirits Bright for Free!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Thanksgiving!</span></span></div>
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Today and tomorrow, download my new Christmas collection,<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spirits-Bright-Collection-Angie-Lofthouse-ebook/dp/B00PSR85KM" target="_blank">Spirits Bright</a> </span>free for your Kindle. A little early Christmas gift for all of you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtFa5ZuKJS8PJGa40v2jB7NGj73ypWLG4FTvExppDkZ0ewzd219smJMFqqTVdac0sI9EhMcl6He6XWHCo-61uniguhGB38ndfRUB_6KSjLlOktzQYZjBEydOy74w2bY2_tY0Y6EyQAFk/s1600/Spirits+JustCoversmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtFa5ZuKJS8PJGa40v2jB7NGj73ypWLG4FTvExppDkZ0ewzd219smJMFqqTVdac0sI9EhMcl6He6XWHCo-61uniguhGB38ndfRUB_6KSjLlOktzQYZjBEydOy74w2bY2_tY0Y6EyQAFk/s1600/Spirits+JustCoversmall.jpg" height="320" width="201" /></a></div>
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A different kind of Christmas on a faraway planet. A starship lost on the wrong side of the galaxy. A woman disconnected from everyone she knows. Combining family, traditions, and faith with the wonder and excitement of science fiction, this collection is sure to delight and inspire you this holiday season.<br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hope you all have an amazing holiday.</span></span></div>
Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-56808335566719476902014-11-24T11:20:00.000-07:002014-11-30T19:43:10.029-07:00New book release: Paladin Pawn by Michael YoungToday, I want to let you know about a new middle grade fantasy by my friend Michael Young coming November 28. Congrats, Michael! I hope you'll give it a look.<br />
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Introducing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paladin-Pawn-Chess-Quest-Book-ebook/dp/B00Q7XXNR6" target="_blank">Paladin Pawn</a><br />
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<i>When nerdy Rich Witz unwittingly becomes a Paladin, a white knight, in training, he is thrust into a world where flunking a test can change the course of history and a mysterious bully is playing for keeps with his life. <br /> Rich’s grandmother leaves him with one thing before disappearing for good: a white chess pawn with his initials engraved on it. The pawn marks him as the next in an ancient line of white knights. He must prove himself in a life or death contest against his Nemesis, a dark knight in training, all while dealing with math homework and English projects. With the ghost of an ancestor for his guide, he has seven days to complete four tasks of valor before his Nemesis does, or join his guide in the realm of the dead. <br /> As Rich rushes to complete the tasks, he realizes the chilling truth: his Nemesis is masquerading as someone at school and will stop at nothing to make him fail. As the tasks grow ever harder, the other knights reveal to him that his failure will break a centuries-old chain and bring the Paladin order to ruin. If he fails, the dark knights win the right to control the fate of the world, a world without hope or the possibility of a new dawn. So this is one exam Rich has to ace, with no curve and no extra credit.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiHcHmDYDoBxOkz06wYEo-8bpkR8pDfz2gtB37pyVVob6s7w8MRCbsiEspKjNaN5jU8R9IKyeOhFsJWl-8HRvdUeBE-a3gYWFmLLnIezWd0OmL1nG_UfN7_IXGnVj1Vc_0N0i9ofeK4IF/s1600/Michael+Young+Author+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiHcHmDYDoBxOkz06wYEo-8bpkR8pDfz2gtB37pyVVob6s7w8MRCbsiEspKjNaN5jU8R9IKyeOhFsJWl-8HRvdUeBE-a3gYWFmLLnIezWd0OmL1nG_UfN7_IXGnVj1Vc_0N0i9ofeK4IF/s1600/Michael+Young+Author+headshot.jpg" height="131" width="200" /></a> Michael is a graduate of Brigham Young University and Western Governor’s University with degrees in German Teaching, Music, and Instructional Design. He puts his German to good use teaching online German courses for High School students. Though he grew up traveling the world with his military father, he now lives in Utah with his wife, Jen, and his two sons. Michael enjoys acting in community theater, playing and writing music and spending time with his family. He played for several years with the handbell choir Bells on Temple Square and is now a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.<br />
He is the author of the novels The Canticle Kingdom Series, The Last Archangel Series, and the Chess Quest Series. His also authors several web serials through BigWorldNetwork.com. He publishes anthologies for charity in his Advent Anthologies series. He has also had work featured in various online and print magazines such as Bards and Sages Quarterly, Mindflights, Meridian, The New Era, Allegory, and Ensign.<br />
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Follow Michael . . . <br />
Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/authormichaelyoung">http://www.facebook.com/authormichaelyoung</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mdybyu">http://www.twitter.com/mdybyu</a><br />
Blog: <a href="http://www.writermike.com/">http://www.writermike.com</a><br />
Pinterest: <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/mdybyu">http://www.pinterest.com/mdybyu</a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-50531697385225867062014-10-29T13:59:00.000-06:002014-10-29T13:59:08.753-06:00Letting Go~Moving On~Starting Over<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUHhbhXhUC5Xf2oBy5Ir4TvHT3JIymXG8FmHQdP8weH4nqwpUBu8992oV7AuTUD4T4J_c5uhTKC2oaMnVZdcTHnhDZuvt97KIk4XSMoN-uFwnUumQrk0wmH9F1_2fT1zmfNCgPVV_NHmH/s1600/P1030088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUHhbhXhUC5Xf2oBy5Ir4TvHT3JIymXG8FmHQdP8weH4nqwpUBu8992oV7AuTUD4T4J_c5uhTKC2oaMnVZdcTHnhDZuvt97KIk4XSMoN-uFwnUumQrk0wmH9F1_2fT1zmfNCgPVV_NHmH/s1600/P1030088.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>I have two calendars. One in my bedroom and one in my writing room. They both have pretty artwork and inspirational sayings each month.<br />
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This month my bedroom calendar told me to <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Trust My Heart</i></span>.<br />
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My writing room calendar taught <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Live then or now. It's impossible to be in two places at once.</i></span><br />
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As soon as I saw those, I knew this month would be a meaningful one. (As opposed to September's really lame sayings which told me nothing...) I started the month trying to write a steampunk space opera Christmas story. Sounds fun, huh? I thought it would be, but about 5 pages into it, it just wasn't speaking to me. I trusted my heart and let it go. I was feeling a little bad, because I have given a Christmas story to my family and friends for Christmas for 19 years, and it looked like it wasn't going to happen this year.<br />
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The next day I was broadsided with a new idea. Rarely have I been hit so hard with an idea that I just couldn't wait to write. I was (and still am) a bit nervous because this is a much more character driven story than what I usually write. Also, it's coming out in a much more literary style. And it's not technically a Christmas story. But I am trusting my heart and writing it.<br />
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Or at least, I want to. I am having the hardest time actually sitting down to write! This is writer's block like I have never experienced before. The story is ready. I know what happens all the way through. I'm excited about it. But when I sit down to write, I just...can't. I have made a little progress. I am probably half-way through it. That's great, but I still can't find it in me to give more than a minimal effort to writing each day. It frustrates me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKqZZ4KGBS4U0j2NLBYAD_nh3zlnyMi6Te3ZPhdv7zEKa_nFWIkqESHfIOxVRj4BUqJPTsboFfTddOZ-AnrlTr42lTLaGbKBxAhm7VlheeIm2kOqcCB9-KfuQ3xvjybphs475orKuSXPS/s1600/P1030087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKqZZ4KGBS4U0j2NLBYAD_nh3zlnyMi6Te3ZPhdv7zEKa_nFWIkqESHfIOxVRj4BUqJPTsboFfTddOZ-AnrlTr42lTLaGbKBxAhm7VlheeIm2kOqcCB9-KfuQ3xvjybphs475orKuSXPS/s1600/P1030087.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>But this weekend my heart told me something else. Remember the second bit of calendar wisdom? Yes. It has become clear that I must stop dwelling on the past. It's time to let go of the dream that didn't come to pass. It's time to move on. It's time to start over.<br />
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So.<br />
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I unpublished my books. All but the one I don't hold the rights to.<br />
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Was it hard? Yes.<br />
Does it hurt? Yes.<br />
Am I sad? Yes I am.<br />
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But I learned reading<a href="http://bravegirlsclub.com/archives/23374" target="_blank"> this post</a> yesterday, that sometimes you have to let go of things you love in order to move forward.<br />
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So, I am. I am letting go. I am trusting my heart. I am living now and not then. I am starting over fresh. And I hope that someday, when the grief fades a little, I'll find out I've been living my dreams all along.<br />
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I still have a lot of stories left to tell, and I hope by letting go of what wasn't working, I'll be better able to tell them.<br />
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<br />Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-4685250617740924452014-10-13T18:08:00.000-06:002014-10-13T18:08:24.430-06:00A Legitimate AuthorThree things happened this weekend. (Well, a lot more happened than that, but three writing related things.)<br />
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First, I got a royalty check from my publisher! My first one, believe it or not. It was for less than $10. (I took a picture of the check, but I'm not going to post that online.)<br />
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Second, I went to a book signing, had a ton of fun, and didn't sell a single book.<br />
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Third, I got a dreadful two-star review on Amazon.<br />
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Surprisingly, these three things lifted my spirits instead of bringing me down. I guess they made me feel like an honest-to-goodness legitimate author. Weird how that works.<br />
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Anyway, book news!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Spirits Bright,</span></span> a collection of four inspirational sci-fi Christmas stories is coming soon!<br />
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I will be down in Kanab, UT on the 24-25 of this month presenting at the <a href="http://www.kanabwritersconference.com/" target="_blank">Kanab Writers Conference</a>. It's beautiful down there, and they have some great classes lined up. If you're anywhere nearby, check it out!<br />
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<br />Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-56270714053172908582014-09-23T06:00:00.000-06:002014-09-23T06:00:09.743-06:00Vulnerable<br />
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One cool perk of having my husband in a rock band is that I am getting to know all sorts of truly awesome local bands and musicians. Here is one of my new favorites, My Fair Fiend. This one, "Just A Song" hits me right in the chest with that breathtaking vulnerability of being an artist of any kind. Here are some of the lyrics (written by Callie Crofts):<br />
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<i>But I'm so guilty of wearing my heart like a scarlet gown <br />Sparkling in the lights for everyone to see <br />And this undivided audience <br />You know too much, you know too much <br />This guitar's gone and got the best of me <br /><br />And who can I tell it to? <br />Not you, love <br />Not anyone <br />No, some things are better left <br />Just bottled in the bottom of my soul <br />Or I could write it in a song <br />And all the crowd will sing along <br />And they might wonder if its written from experience or not </i><br />
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It's the same with books. We bare our hearts and souls out there for everyone to see, whether the audience realizes it or not. And, really, that's the way it should be. All truly great creative works must come from the heart.<br />
<br />
But it sure is scary sometimes.<br />
<br />
Go ahead and watch the video and let me know what you think. And if you like it, check out more of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/myfairfiend" target="_blank">My Fair Fiend's </a>stuff!<br />
Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-14894876374325298832014-09-08T15:20:00.000-06:002014-09-08T15:20:29.966-06:00Salt Lake Comic Con!Stan Lee called Salt Lake Comic Con the best comic con in the world. High praise. I had a blast. I sat on three panels: Geek Parenting, Shakespeare and Fantasy, and Monster Songwriting. I even sold a few books. I didn't take as many pictures as I should have, but here are a few.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36WC4UKkMcNESWRqXbvj3aNCJELwHka5kmjG8JpwaoaI268r_5MWP4FX5Q8V5WvMNx9ehbtWZ1rDyrI0LoAJpqTWrv46mEonbaw9xQSA6Iy6Ddgd4_3NpKn2zsML7KUBLidj05gzhnaDU/s1600/P1020994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36WC4UKkMcNESWRqXbvj3aNCJELwHka5kmjG8JpwaoaI268r_5MWP4FX5Q8V5WvMNx9ehbtWZ1rDyrI0LoAJpqTWrv46mEonbaw9xQSA6Iy6Ddgd4_3NpKn2zsML7KUBLidj05gzhnaDU/s1600/P1020994.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our "Table of Awesome"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvZuxGVXOTCBVKKR4dI0WUtQD1ZMgHnQxM6l5VV7wMlcMnWnC_aSiRPyjg10voCBmN6z6FaNE532iTfEIszI-MousGbUCF61m3VB9aD8TNX6eBLrAxoJtuIRHRPVBKyw7q-8sHdhe9ofJ/s1600/P1020996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvZuxGVXOTCBVKKR4dI0WUtQD1ZMgHnQxM6l5VV7wMlcMnWnC_aSiRPyjg10voCBmN6z6FaNE532iTfEIszI-MousGbUCF61m3VB9aD8TNX6eBLrAxoJtuIRHRPVBKyw7q-8sHdhe9ofJ/s1600/P1020996.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends and fellow authors JoAnn Schneider and Berin Stephens at their own table of awesome</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JJZfi3bSIimMPjBxWcN5N6w0Wcj0w6cSXuvLNEo_hxSAcl07iSVjrvqGzUksDJJouXJmjCtSgCFZsktqYbGCXUJnnddopTnxFLmn5_tW8mTMFOBCwkH2hb1HxNmwS5A7GDbpJEVjA43F/s1600/P1020997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JJZfi3bSIimMPjBxWcN5N6w0Wcj0w6cSXuvLNEo_hxSAcl07iSVjrvqGzUksDJJouXJmjCtSgCFZsktqYbGCXUJnnddopTnxFLmn5_tW8mTMFOBCwkH2hb1HxNmwS5A7GDbpJEVjA43F/s1600/P1020997.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave Butler and Jayrod Garrett. So fun to see friends!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDXzbD6JwKhrXtXsbEyfY-lcDuKTw0vojALbz6-U6vvbCZWkX_RahyvVziJZaRor1TtRBAueMfCW1ixuURXhVdTQ7BgZ4eHp1el3QKwvvNn8hB0JlFpG10zt4gOy4nSMi1iaWcwFNCde6/s1600/P1020999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDXzbD6JwKhrXtXsbEyfY-lcDuKTw0vojALbz6-U6vvbCZWkX_RahyvVziJZaRor1TtRBAueMfCW1ixuURXhVdTQ7BgZ4eHp1el3QKwvvNn8hB0JlFpG10zt4gOy4nSMi1iaWcwFNCde6/s1600/P1020999.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of the authors at the Table of Awesome</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-35630167812158581002014-08-28T06:00:00.000-06:002014-08-28T06:00:06.075-06:00Dark Dancer Release!Congratulations to my friend and one of my favorite authors, Jaleta Clegg on the release of her magical steampunk fantasy, <span style="font-size: large;">Dark Dancer. <span style="font-size: small;">I can't wait to read it!</span></span><br />
<br />
Here's an excerpt:<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiOlgz7AFsmzNBk8AVcovGJnb7RvFTWH-AHTsA1BixIz-mYGbf1LB0-GPpPE_KIkXfPSNYuDOAmD7Os6REuq-NRahsunvx8ekrFMwAkodlIOyH4n2xr-InMC9uDujUQU8N5nHW0RNDe1i/s1600/darkdancer-ebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiOlgz7AFsmzNBk8AVcovGJnb7RvFTWH-AHTsA1BixIz-mYGbf1LB0-GPpPE_KIkXfPSNYuDOAmD7Os6REuq-NRahsunvx8ekrFMwAkodlIOyH4n2xr-InMC9uDujUQU8N5nHW0RNDe1i/s1600/darkdancer-ebook.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a><b>Katie held her arms out, twirling inside the ring of mushrooms like a small child. She laughed, lifting her face to the sun. Lavender mist crept around her feet, rising in the center. Flowers dropped to the grass under her bare feet. The mist swirled and spun with each step of her dance. A round window formed in the center, hanging in the air. Katie danced closer.<br /> </b><br />
<b>"Don't touch it!" Vague images of a dancing rabbits and a man with pointed ears teased Sabrina's memories. Cold sweat trickled down her spine.<br /> </b><br />
<b>Katie brushed the edges of the window, her dance growing more frenzied. The air reeked of ozone and lay heavy as if a thunderstorm brewed in the clear skies. Power crackled through the lavender mist.<br /> </b><br />
<b>Katie stretched into the window. Her scream shattered the peace of the quiet meadow. She fragmented like stained glass shattering. Wind blasted across the flowers, tossing the shards of Katie through the window. </b><br />
<br />
<b>The mist dissipated, thin tendrils falling back to the grasses inside the mushrooms.<br /> </b><br />
<b>Sabrina stared in shock. Voices echoed in her head, whispers of warning from her mother, from a strange older man with slanted green eyes and gray-streaked hair. She shook herself free of the memories.<br /> </b><br />
<b>"Katie?" She crossed the meadow, breaking into a loping run.<br /> </b><br />
<b>She stopped at the edge of the mushrooms. She remembered her mother crushing the mushrooms under her foot. Strange words echoed in her mind, a language she'd never spoken. She watched a last streamer of lavender mist fade into the fairy circle.<br /> </b><br />
<b>She sank to her knees. She had to get help, but what would she say? My cousin vanished inside a fairy ring. What would Aunt Dianna say? She couldn't go home, not without Katie. She gathered Katie's sneakers in her arms, rocking back and forth.<br /> </b><br />
<b>She had to get Katie back.</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Dark Dancer</span> is now available in ebook and print!<br />
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/465920" target="_blank">Smashwords </a>(all ebook formats) <br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Dancer-Jaleta-Clegg-ebook/dp/B00MRANX5A" target="_blank">Kindle</a><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">A strange
prophecy haunts the Seligh lords, rulers of the Fey and controllers of all
magic in the Summerlands, a prophecy that foretells their fall.</span></i><i>
</i><br />
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="Body">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">A banished
Seligh lord rules the Winterlands with an iron fist while his pets, the
balmorae, patrol the borders against all intruders, guarding the secrets hidden
beneath his icy lair.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="Body">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">A young
woman rediscovers her heritage, a gift of magic and dancing that opens portals
between worlds. She holds the fate of their world in her hands. All who live
within the lands of the Fey must choose where they stand</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">—</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">beside the Dancer or opposed to
her.</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPAHyjfmfX7-Hacfr3YSNqAtdaw7DTwkm3EELKWXzRYaNSlhswlsnCxHcyTK122EXna2WJNdbarIBqcyLMvzSvHlVYfyn31pb-47zj91SM0aq1cVL0WIiUOGpS3_Mt2-ZUMyoJ1eMfUZ7/s1600/biosmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPAHyjfmfX7-Hacfr3YSNqAtdaw7DTwkm3EELKWXzRYaNSlhswlsnCxHcyTK122EXna2WJNdbarIBqcyLMvzSvHlVYfyn31pb-47zj91SM0aq1cVL0WIiUOGpS3_Mt2-ZUMyoJ1eMfUZ7/s1600/biosmall.jpg" height="186" width="200" /></a>Jaleta Clegg loves to tell stories ranging from deep space to magical worlds and everywhere in between. You can find a complete listing of her work at <a href="http://www.jaletac.com/">www.jaletac.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Dancer-Jaleta-Clegg-ebook/dp/B00MRANX5A" target="_blank"></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cbcaf8902/" id="rc-cbcaf8902" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>
Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-24707832670052549872014-08-25T13:17:00.000-06:002014-08-25T13:17:53.183-06:00Good AdviceNow here's some writing advice I can get behind!<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lHPI0zj2gGI" width="400"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
It's only 4.5 minutes and well worth your time. (And, hey, that's my book on his desk! Heehee)<br />
<br />
Do you have any great advice for writers?<br />
<br />Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-39220528774796532952014-08-16T12:51:00.000-06:002014-08-16T12:51:23.624-06:00Bad AdviceI mentioned <a href="http://notesfromthewritingchair.blogspot.com/2014/06/mywritingprocess.html" target="_blank">before</a> that I am sort of between writing processes right now. I feel that I have lost touch with my <a href="http://notesfromthewritingchair.blogspot.com/search/label/Writer%27s%20Intuition" target="_blank">writer's intuition</a>, and the organic process of creating that used to guide me. This problem started, I believe, about six years ago when I started attending writing conferences again after many years away.<br />
<br />
Now, I love writing conferences and other conventions. I love seeing old friends and meeting new ones. I love visiting, commiserating, and networking. I love attending classes and workshops. But, I think that along they way, I been given some bad advice at these conferences. (Bad for ME, mind you. This advice might be great for other writers.) Outlines, structure, character arcs, etc., etc. are all great things. They are also hampering my creativity. Big time. I feel almost paralyzed when I sit down to write for fear that I'm going about it all wrong.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2V_Yko9FzSZ4nEBeu76FA6goMtnEplGDQscjKMbLrT4RLqAP_Up4Pi2JN_CC0lgVNprlJLZtTyyS434eqQabKPJ6QfH-OF7b3AtP7KcayDFuRqGDagdb_yZyqD240c45HmswNtdi0hor/s1600/paint-splatters-627544-m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2V_Yko9FzSZ4nEBeu76FA6goMtnEplGDQscjKMbLrT4RLqAP_Up4Pi2JN_CC0lgVNprlJLZtTyyS434eqQabKPJ6QfH-OF7b3AtP7KcayDFuRqGDagdb_yZyqD240c45HmswNtdi0hor/s1600/paint-splatters-627544-m.jpg" height="244" width="320" /></a><br />
Something's got to change, and fast.<br />
<br />
So, I'm very sorry, but I am ditching story structure. I am ignoring character arc. I'm not outlining. I'm going to sit down and tell stories the way they unfold in my head. The way that feels natural and right to me. Yeah, maybe I am doing it wrong. I don't care anymore. I just want to feel creative again.<br />
<br />
We'll see how it goes.<br />
<br />Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-89623186259362178842014-07-28T18:05:00.000-06:002014-07-28T18:08:09.667-06:00A New Writing Chair<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewfqRNWRn8gkySpQYJshOv23pDkyQYCRX7juAiamH2bTZe2jiHptNDjWYDR59n_fnXxPVWgHKQ6qOq-MoXL48qZPNvk-3RAuETmPI42Yx6uFNG2Sr9JPi_XU1Bi9wIjB2UMXAKlqRa_w7/s1600/P1020840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewfqRNWRn8gkySpQYJshOv23pDkyQYCRX7juAiamH2bTZe2jiHptNDjWYDR59n_fnXxPVWgHKQ6qOq-MoXL48qZPNvk-3RAuETmPI42Yx6uFNG2Sr9JPi_XU1Bi9wIjB2UMXAKlqRa_w7/s1600/P1020840.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>My old beanbag writing chair was nice, but it wasn't comfortable for long periods of writing. (Watching TV, maybe, but not writing.) So I got myself this lovely little recliner. It's so comfy and nice! I just love it. I like the brown, but I felt it needed a little splash of color too. I also picked up this picture.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkElXdmj6kGMXkl8WImbgsXHto6YLXQ7RpeCTUqb1G-TaqQqUOjwHspYX8n5PYVqVlHF5R2teIaBgREAmY_S9byqGt03Vh4uYa-nkTUqn-TZw1L-DD2GXfyH2af-ABv8E21S63lUErp1mp/s1600/P1020841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkElXdmj6kGMXkl8WImbgsXHto6YLXQ7RpeCTUqb1G-TaqQqUOjwHspYX8n5PYVqVlHF5R2teIaBgREAmY_S9byqGt03Vh4uYa-nkTUqn-TZw1L-DD2GXfyH2af-ABv8E21S63lUErp1mp/s1600/P1020841.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
It inspires me. My office (though I really don't like to call it that) is quickly becoming my favorite room in the house!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What does your writing space look like?</span></span><br />
<br />Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-16893652073606301482014-07-08T21:26:00.000-06:002014-07-08T22:13:11.438-06:00Apocalypse Panel: Defining the ApocalypseIt's time for the Apocalypse Panel again! This month's question:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What defines an apocalyptic story?</b></span></span></div>
<br />
The easy answer for me is<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b>The End of the World as We Know It</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JsxavPANO8s" width="420"></iframe>
<br />
I think it's the "as we know it" part that is most important. Apocalyptic stories start from a point of the world that we know, that we are familiar with. I think it would be pretty hard to appreciate an apocalypse in a world utterly unfamiliar to us, since we'd have no "before" to compare to.<br />
<br />
Also, the apocalyptic event affects the whole of society. After all, we all go through experiences that change our personal world as we know it. Marriage, children, school, jobs, divorce, death, etc. But those don't make an apocalyptic story. Still, as I think about it, maybe it is our own personal apocalypses that make world-changing apocalyptic stories so appealing to us.<br />
<br />
Be sure to check out the<a href="http://www.randylindsay.net/the-gathering" target="_blank"> responses from the other panelists! </a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-81663969295359477602014-06-30T06:00:00.000-06:002014-06-30T06:00:09.439-06:00#MyWritingProcess<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh16nffGwp5PUy9COvSYZcBi419asma3eV8bdcStwGdJ_4j5qtsC2z4539m6rl3Xm88zWHDyrg4Cwk6ijZnDUjcgatkkn8ykzA7Ex3Kzi-X0RtyBcWoMz_oolbghdo0v8-iE7RTGPjQ3_J/s1600/P4150043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh16nffGwp5PUy9COvSYZcBi419asma3eV8bdcStwGdJ_4j5qtsC2z4539m6rl3Xm88zWHDyrg4Cwk6ijZnDUjcgatkkn8ykzA7Ex3Kzi-X0RtyBcWoMz_oolbghdo0v8-iE7RTGPjQ3_J/s1600/P4150043.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>I was tagged in this fun blog hop by two talented authors, <a href="http://www.danyelleleafty.com/" target="_blank">Danyelle Leafty</a>, who writes delightful fairy tales that you must read. Find and follow her on Twitter @<a href="https://twitter.com/DanyelleLeafty" target="_blank">DanyelleLeafty</a>. She's awesome! And <a href="http://butlerwritings.com/" target="_blank">S.A. Butler</a>, author of the Sonia Fletcher books. Vampire hunter novels with a twist. She tweets @<a href="https://twitter.com/S_A_Butler" target="_blank">S_A_Butler</a>. Look her up. She's awesome too.<br /><br />
Thank you so much ladies!<br />
<br />
Here is a bit about my writing process.<br />
<br />
<b>1. What am I working on?</b><br />
<br />
Right now, I am revising my third Defenders of the Covenant novel, Shrouded Skies, looking forward to a September 2, release date! I have a Pony Express fantasy short story, Zeke vs. the Dust Devil that needs to go to beta readers. I have also started on the first draft of a new novel, The Glory of the Stars. Another LDS science fiction novel, though very different from Defenders of the Covenant.<br />
<br />
<b>2. How does my work differ from others in its genre?</b><br />
<br />
Hahahahahahaha! Most science fiction is not about Mormons. Most LDS fiction is not sci-fi. 'Nuff said.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Why do I write what I do?</b><br />
<br />
Why does anyone write what they do? These are the stories that live in my heart and soul. The stories that insist I tell them to the world. I want to add goodness to the world.<br />
<br />
<b>4. How does my writing process work?</b><br />
<br />
Umm... I'm kind of in <br />
between processes right now. What has worked for me up until now is just no longer working. I'll keep you posted as to when I find something that does.<br />
<br />
Anyway, thanks so much for tagging me Danyelle and Sara!<br />
<br />
Feel free to share in the comments how your own writing process works. Maybe something will strike a chord with me. :)Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-86009802812375196482014-06-25T06:00:00.000-06:002014-06-25T06:00:00.672-06:00Guest Post: Characters of Faith in Fiction by Terry W. Ervin II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today we welcome back my good friend Terry W. Ervin II back to the writing chair in celebration of his newest release Soul Forge! (I am so excited to read this book!) Soul Forge is the third book in his First Civilization's Legacy series.<br />
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Terry is here to discuss a subject quite near to my heart. Writing characters of faith.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDD9Yf5ZT9ViSeWODSbqCPCni1-51dDp64iGj6vxSBC58yZYKd3PECsb48dkGWWdVCsX1xVb1zIoCDO3QTGtXcZpIexOnBTUuKqLmw79WtaXDXiLqKQvHjinlcFXehWf8KL7hDIXASq8yQ/s1600/First+Civilzation+Legacy+Books+FH+BS+SF.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDD9Yf5ZT9ViSeWODSbqCPCni1-51dDp64iGj6vxSBC58yZYKd3PECsb48dkGWWdVCsX1xVb1zIoCDO3QTGtXcZpIexOnBTUuKqLmw79WtaXDXiLqKQvHjinlcFXehWf8KL7hDIXASq8yQ/s1600/First+Civilzation+Legacy+Books+FH+BS+SF.jpg" height="149" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyy9SJJZOiZqHpJ4F_6a3H-SKCBK4Cxudl4PQt7t6rYKaR-qLG9wl8zxYeVIx-nte5WzY65v2BOw1xj52ivFbclKq59ZVIaHczSms8pI_gUbI0t9iFy6InAwT2A0Nmpt41XlbxPxW_aPK_/s1600/Relic+Tech+Cover+for+Blogs+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><b>Characters of Faith in Fiction</b><br />
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While several of my short stories could be identified as ‘inspirational’ with faith-based overtones, the majority of my writing, especially my novels, are fantasy and science fiction aimed at a more mainstream audience.<br />
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That doesn’t mean aspects of religious faith are absent from my novels. A great variety of characters populate my stories and some of them have faith, in varying measures. I find this to be appropriate, being just one possible aspect of a character’s make up.<br />
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That being said, there are conventions and potential pitfalls to consider when including aspects of faith in a work of fiction.<br />
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The most obvious convention when writing fiction is that an author shouldn’t ‘preach’ to the readers. This can be said of concerns other than religion. Consider political topics such as gun control, socialism, capitalism, drug laws, and more. All of these areas are ripe for espousing one point of view to the detriment of the story being told, including plot and character development. Heavy-handedly ‘telling’ readers how they should think or behave, even if they tend to agree, is certain to turn them off.<br />
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Another convention with respect to including faith in a work of fiction is that it should be organic, in that it’s a natural part of the character and story, and not simply inserted. Yes, there are stock characters, such as a strict, ruler-wielding nun in the classroom, or a humble, caring priest working as a hospital chaplain, and they have a place inserted in a story, but they should be used to play their part, after which the story moves on.<br />
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As indicated, faith being a part of a character’s make up is both reasonable and realistic. Prayer, moral beliefs, conversation, and actions within that context are all fine. How much depends not only on the character, but also on the plot and theme, and how integral the character(s) of faith are to the storyline. Most readers are comfortable with that. Most agnostics and atheists have friends, acquaintances, coworkers, and even family that believe in God, so having such characters in a work of fiction makes sense. The more important or central a character’s religious faith becomes to the storyline, the more the audience would shift away from ‘mainstream.’<br />
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It was probably noted that I said in the paragraph above: Most readers are fine with that. <br />
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Most does not equate to all, which leads to a potential pitfall.<br />
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If faith plays a significant part in the motivations and resulting actions of one or more major characters in a novel, there will be readers that are turned off. Those readers may be near the extreme end when it comes to intolerance toward religion, or even a particular religion. It should be pointed out that similar reactions occur among some readers with strong faith being turned off by characters that are expressively ambivalent toward God, or vocal in their atheism.<br />
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Potentially losing or dissatisfying some readers simply by including characters with faith as a part of their make-up doesn’t sound like much of a pitfall. Usually that’s true.<br />
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My experience in this arena is mainly through my novels Flank Hawk and Relic Tech. The main area where<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDD9Yf5ZT9ViSeWODSbqCPCni1-51dDp64iGj6vxSBC58yZYKd3PECsb48dkGWWdVCsX1xVb1zIoCDO3QTGtXcZpIexOnBTUuKqLmw79WtaXDXiLqKQvHjinlcFXehWf8KL7hDIXASq8yQ/s1600/First+Civilzation+Legacy+Books+FH+BS+SF.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> faith plays a role in Flank Hawk centers is the Crusader, Paul Jedidiah Roos. While a character important to the plot, Roos isn’t the POV character, and first appears in the 2nd half of the novel.<br />
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Even so, I’ve received emails from readers, indicating they returned the novel because of Roos. One reader thought it was wrong for Christianity to exist in my fantasy novel, and was tempted to throw his Kindle across the room because he was really enjoying the novel up until that point, when ‘Crusaders’ first appeared.<br />
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The First Civilization’s Legacy Series is a post-apocalyptic fantasy series. Why wouldn’t there be an outpost of Christianity? While those were my thoughts, it’s my ‘policy’ to not debate or attempt to alter the views of readers expressing an opinion, unless they specifically ask about some particular point. I prefer to thank them for giving my story a try and express my disappointment that they didn’t find the read satisfying.<br />
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With Relic Tech, the main character, Security Specialist Krakista Keesay is one with a measure of religious faith. It’s not overly strong and isn’t prevalent in the storyline. For example, he says prayers, based on <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyy9SJJZOiZqHpJ4F_6a3H-SKCBK4Cxudl4PQt7t6rYKaR-qLG9wl8zxYeVIx-nte5WzY65v2BOw1xj52ivFbclKq59ZVIaHczSms8pI_gUbI0t9iFy6InAwT2A0Nmpt41XlbxPxW_aPK_/s1600/Relic+Tech+Cover+for+Blogs+(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyy9SJJZOiZqHpJ4F_6a3H-SKCBK4Cxudl4PQt7t6rYKaR-qLG9wl8zxYeVIx-nte5WzY65v2BOw1xj52ivFbclKq59ZVIaHczSms8pI_gUbI0t9iFy6InAwT2A0Nmpt41XlbxPxW_aPK_/s1600/Relic+Tech+Cover+for+Blogs+(1).jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>Scripture memorized as a youth, for dead or dying characters. Also, there is a priest that plays a very minor role while the POV character is serving as a security specialist aboard the Civil Transport Kalavar.<br />
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Still, some of the most critical reviews, and emails sent to me, have focused on the religious aspects to the novel. The main character was called a TSA Thug and Religious Fanatic. I’ve had readers email me that they quit reading when a Bible was mentioned, saying they don’t like religion in their science fiction. The TSA/Religious Fanatic review was challenged by other readers, and eventually the reviewer agreed that he was off target. A week or two later, the review disappeared. Still, while the review was up, it appeared to negatively affect sales.<br />
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There are some pitfalls to having characters of religious faith in a story. But those pitfalls are okay with me. A writer cannot please everybody, and it’s part of the business of being an author—accepting, or at least acknowledging reader opinions and reviews that express disappointment, sometimes based on the content of a character’s make up. Because, on the other hand, there are readers out there that really enjoy reading about Roos and Keesay, and are glad I wrote them as I did, believing they add to the storylines and worlds created.<br />
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I guess I’ll see what happens with Soul Forge where, just as in Blood Sword, echoes of Roos’ faith can be found in some of the characters, especially Lilly.<br />
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Thank you so much, Terry! I personally love your characters who display their faith. :)<br />
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Be sure to take a look at Terry's books. You can buy Soul Forge here:<br />
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Kindle USA: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Forge-First-Civilizations-Legacy-ebook/dp/B00L7UTA3U/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Soul-<wbr></wbr>Forge-First-Civilizations-<wbr></wbr>Legacy-ebook/dp/B00L7UTA3U/</a></div>
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Amazon Print USA:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Forge-First-Civilizations-Legacy/dp/1940095182/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Soul-<wbr></wbr>Forge-First-Civilizations-<wbr></wbr>Legacy/dp/1940095182/</a></div>
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Kindle UK:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soul-Forge-First-Civilizations-Legacy-ebook/dp/B00L7UTA3U/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soul-<wbr></wbr>Forge-First-Civilizations-<wbr></wbr>Legacy-ebook/dp/B00L7UTA3U/</a><br />Print UK:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soul-Forge-First-Civilizations-Legacy/dp/1940095182/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soul-<wbr></wbr>Forge-First-Civilizations-<wbr></wbr>Legacy/dp/1940095182/</a></div>
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Terry W. Ervin II is an English teacher who enjoys writing fantasy and science fiction. <br />
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His First Civilization’s Legacy Series includes FLANK HAWK, BLOOD SWORD and SOUL FORGE, his newest release from Gryphonwood Press. Terry’s debut science fiction novel RELIC TECH is the first in the Crax War Chronicles and his short stories have appeared in over a dozen anthologies and magazines. The genres range from SF and mystery to horror and inspirational. GENRE SHOTGUN is a collection containing all of his previously published short stories.<br />
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To contact Terry or learn more about his writing endeavors, visit his website at <a href="http://www.ervin-author.com/">www.ervin-author.com</a> or his blog, Up Around the Corner at <br />
<a href="http://uparoundthecorner.blogspot.com/">http://uparoundthecorner.blogspot.com</a><br />
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Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-48590164552225223692014-06-11T19:35:00.000-06:002014-06-11T19:35:25.352-06:00Apocalypse Panel: The Most Important ElementOh, hello there. It's been a while, hasn't it? The end of the school year, followed by two weeks of being sick in bed sort of derailed blogging for a while. But I am back! With another question for the <a href="http://www.randylindsay.net/the-gathering/apocalypse-panel-elements-of-destruction" target="_blank">Apocalypse Panel. </a>This month's question is:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">What is the most important element in an apocalyptic story?</span></span></div>
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I could talk about important elements of story all day, but they would apply to any story, not just an apocalyptic one. So, I'm going to throw out what I think is at the heart of apocalypse fiction.<br />
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Hope.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBGpPRjgdiQUk66ZhqosHrLHl4OUsLAXJRPnfyOl8sMGLNs72vbFh-teIXZ-X4-0yXF6RvmTPx1bsdIherg4KIUB6K2BSqDye029CG_6OhBzCYhTP-gjont_EqvnhWFBPyQbePo4QTb_k/s1600/Hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBGpPRjgdiQUk66ZhqosHrLHl4OUsLAXJRPnfyOl8sMGLNs72vbFh-teIXZ-X4-0yXF6RvmTPx1bsdIherg4KIUB6K2BSqDye029CG_6OhBzCYhTP-gjont_EqvnhWFBPyQbePo4QTb_k/s1600/Hope.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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I think at their heart, apocalyptic stories are stories of hope. No matter what the universe dishes out, we can overcome. We will survive. That to me is the truly essential element for writing about the apocalypse.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">What do you think?</span></span></div>
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Be sure to check out the <a href="http://www.randylindsay.net/the-gathering" target="_blank">responses of the other panelists.</a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-43488798314889244342014-05-15T16:13:00.001-06:002014-05-15T16:13:35.825-06:00The New Writing Plan: I will offer my creations to the worldStep 4 of the new writing plan is<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNgxnU_Brbblx4g6lzHgKkUAibr2DucblxA8uFhJSTBponn7iryq7-bxBuGbEb806wLfP_XJpS3RnljbUUpHDokl6IqOwCAqelMlszd1zo4cECPYaLwe6e6I_Ub-_GQ5vz4iT1tcFXB6u/s1600/hands+gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNgxnU_Brbblx4g6lzHgKkUAibr2DucblxA8uFhJSTBponn7iryq7-bxBuGbEb806wLfP_XJpS3RnljbUUpHDokl6IqOwCAqelMlszd1zo4cECPYaLwe6e6I_Ub-_GQ5vz4iT1tcFXB6u/s1600/hands+gift.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will offer my creations to the world in the best way I can find.</span></span></div>
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This is another tricky one. It brings up the whole self vs. traditional publishing issue, and like most people, I don't know which way is best. It is different for every author, and probably for every book or story.<br />
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<b>I will publish <a href="http://www.angielofthouse.com/p/roomies.html" target="_blank">"Roomies"</a> on my website. </b>(Done! This is a Defenders of the Covenant short story. Go <a href="http://www.angielofthouse.com/p/roomies.html" target="_blank">check it out!</a>)<br />
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<b>I will publish my Christmas stories myself. </b>(Look for that this holiday season.)<br />
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<b>I will publish Shattered Skies (Defenders #3) myself.</b> (By the end of the summer!)<br />
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<b>I will seek professional markets for new short stories.</b> (I just finished one today called Zeke vs. the Dust Devil. A western fantasy. I'm kind of excited about it. Submitting to short fiction markets again kind of feels like going back to the beginning of my writing career. And I'm okay with that.)<br />
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<b>I will decide on publishing options for each future project separately.</b><br />
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<b>I will NOT sign a bad contract.</b> (I hate to say it, but I think this means I will not go with any LDS publishers again.)<br />
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Overall, I think I will probably stick with self-pubbing. It suits my personality a lot more. But I am not going to ignore the traditional publisher option either. As I said, I'll take it one project at a time.Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-55029136100961428212014-05-06T14:23:00.000-06:002014-05-06T14:23:32.108-06:00Apocalypse Panel: The best apocalyptic books and moviesIt's time to start thinking about the end of the world again! This month's <a href="http://www.randylindsay.net/2/post/2014/04/apocalypse-panel-question-3.html" target="_blank">apocalypse panel </a>question is:<br />
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<b>Other than the stories you have written which is the best apocalypse movie or novel?</b><br />
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I don't know about the best, but I can tell you which are my favorites.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFo8KOyTIcauaHSydmirJtnDYtqL6cBtYEz6nizVdZhTko11ZOknPEdGdv7bQTp3xh3QMp44sDPGmZSTJvOMDaWI4ZPlvAlQRqSoMYcVEx6XWKtLsmf5e4YW80yCY4UaNXADUxvkpd2RS/s1600/folk+of+the+fringe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFo8KOyTIcauaHSydmirJtnDYtqL6cBtYEz6nizVdZhTko11ZOknPEdGdv7bQTp3xh3QMp44sDPGmZSTJvOMDaWI4ZPlvAlQRqSoMYcVEx6XWKtLsmf5e4YW80yCY4UaNXADUxvkpd2RS/s1600/folk+of+the+fringe.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a>My favorite apocalyptic book is one Randy mentioned in his <a href="http://www.randylindsay.net/2/post/2014/04/apocalypse-panel-question-3.html" target="_blank">original post.</a> <i>Folk of the Fringe </i>by Orson Scott Card. It's not a novel, really, but a collection of short stories. Stories that moved me in a profound way. Here were my own people dealing with a world-ending situation. I had never seen anything like that before, and obviously, it had a huge influence on my own writing. If you've never read <i>Folk of the Fringe</i>, I highly recommend it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIv_nJFuHf75KYQeXdUf6hyphenhyphenKupQu-58OpqmMU56CJItA2S_jXNihKZhG8ZNqff099GhvBm1JX06TUPtHrWB3UrQ4CVNLEcGM4B8ed_pUw3uCogLfDSdAkpqX23wyuua9884TE9JGMZBHv/s1600/2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIv_nJFuHf75KYQeXdUf6hyphenhyphenKupQu-58OpqmMU56CJItA2S_jXNihKZhG8ZNqff099GhvBm1JX06TUPtHrWB3UrQ4CVNLEcGM4B8ed_pUw3uCogLfDSdAkpqX23wyuua9884TE9JGMZBHv/s1600/2012.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>As far as movies go, I'm kind of embarrassed to admit it, but I really liked 2012. Despite it's cheesiness and obvious flaws, I really cared about those characters and what happened to them. Somebody did something right in the writing there. Still, I'm glad I didn't fork over money to see it in the theater. <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">(Please do not confuse this film with 2012: Ice Age. That is another matter entirely!)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOLUT5hrD49iO9o39Ki1EYW0NY7-sugkLW_MLOZmnKk9JsBP5epRUJEEnhLzfHH8Zl8xK2g92OlOx1umD6b8bHIw_ZQbHeqNJ_rv7O4Q57EBZsocCSvwu3gYBkvfrv68QnZ9_EQYEf8pu/s1600/2012+ice+age.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOLUT5hrD49iO9o39Ki1EYW0NY7-sugkLW_MLOZmnKk9JsBP5epRUJEEnhLzfHH8Zl8xK2g92OlOx1umD6b8bHIw_ZQbHeqNJ_rv7O4Q57EBZsocCSvwu3gYBkvfrv68QnZ9_EQYEf8pu/s1600/2012+ice+age.jpg" height="200" width="138" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you need a good laugh...</td></tr>
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<b>Don't forget to check out the <a href="http://www.randylindsay.net/the-gathering.html" target="_blank">answers from the other panelists.</a> Maybe you'll discover some new books to read! </b><br />
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<br />Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-36707421694723252322014-05-01T10:14:00.000-06:002014-05-01T10:14:45.005-06:00New Writing Plan: I will create wonderful things, joyfully, courageously, and with reckless abandon<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> I will create wonderful things, joyfully, courageously, and with reckless abandon.</span></span></div>
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Well, now we come to the hard part. The part I have been failing at for months on end. The part I'm not sure I can ever achieve again. The part that all the other pieces are trying to lead me to.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_2AFutPQSaeOW8Lf485QT23cy2kUA9Hg7X3mgq2TD3un4CDwA4NofP8xEFXFRVGN1m5Q6RnREiwROcYPXJO4ix7WwMGGhnQ_FOel3AelQIHrGvPlGHurr8jRK22vdWWdk1TYH9uN9GMe/s1600/P1000567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_2AFutPQSaeOW8Lf485QT23cy2kUA9Hg7X3mgq2TD3un4CDwA4NofP8xEFXFRVGN1m5Q6RnREiwROcYPXJO4ix7WwMGGhnQ_FOel3AelQIHrGvPlGHurr8jRK22vdWWdk1TYH9uN9GMe/s1600/P1000567.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
<b>I will write stories I would want to read. Stories I feel excited about.</b><br />
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<b>I will let go of my need for worldly rewards. (Where have I heard <a href="http://notesfromthewritingchair.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-new-writing-plan-i-will-let-go-of.html" target="_blank">that</a> before?)</b><br />
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<b>I will set reasonable goals.</b><br />
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<b>I will focus on daily writing, preferably for at least two hours a day.</b><br />
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<b>I will practice believing that it matters. (See <a href="http://metteivieharrison.tumblr.com/post/78652855702/10-things-you-need-to-believe-to-write" target="_blank">this list from Mette Harrison</a>)</b><br />
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<b>I work on <a href="http://melanie-bennett.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-i-increased-my-word-count-while.html" target="_blank">knowledge-time-enthusiasm</a> and <a href="http://notesfromthewritingchair.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-career-changing-performance.html" target="_blank">relaxed-focused-prepared</a>. (See these posts to find out what I mean here.)</b><br />
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I am still not having much success in actually creating anything. But I am trying. Honestly whenever I sit down to write, I am overwhelmed with fear and doubt. I know these things take time, so I will continue to work and to pray so I can get where I want to be.Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-9324000862515067812014-04-23T13:11:00.000-06:002014-04-23T13:11:48.051-06:00The New Writing Plan: I will nurture and protect my creativityThis is pretty much the crux of the whole plan.<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I will nurture and protect my creativity. </span></span></span></div>
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Both <a href="http://notesfromthewritingchair.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-new-writing-plan-i-will-let-go-of.html" target="_blank">letting go of certain things</a> and <a href="http://notesfromthewritingchair.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-new-writing-plan-i-will-surround.html" target="_blank">surrounding myself with beauty </a>are important parts of this step.<br />
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<b>I will excerise often and get enough sleep.</b><br />
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<b>I will have daily scripture study, prayer, and meditation.</b><br />
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<b>I will attend the temple monthly.</b><br />
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<b>I will communicate and connect with friends and family.</b><br />
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<b>I will use social media properly. </b><br />
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<b>I will sing with the Musettes.</b><br />
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<b>I will practice my guitar daily.</b><br />
<br /><b>I will have fun.</b><br />
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<b>I will dance in public.</b> Ha!<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">How do you nurture your creativity?</span></span></span></div>
Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-56887772222712537602014-04-16T09:58:00.000-06:002014-04-16T09:58:30.216-06:00The New Writing Plan: I will surround myself with beauty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28wLv2BuTUDNu-XBxHifvxYM-vHThJyz84L8SyKsuj7jF9k-wIsbBjDKLukYB2rTHSgCMen9RKLK-8F-V6HK9k3MLhGZhydB68iv2NT_ixmtimAJLpBFQ39XImHdcsUUetLdGJnmHgIoH/s1600/P1010158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28wLv2BuTUDNu-XBxHifvxYM-vHThJyz84L8SyKsuj7jF9k-wIsbBjDKLukYB2rTHSgCMen9RKLK-8F-V6HK9k3MLhGZhydB68iv2NT_ixmtimAJLpBFQ39XImHdcsUUetLdGJnmHgIoH/s1600/P1010158.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I will surround myself with beauty. </span></span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOR6WFzjQdpZn616PdFo4DMv7qe40h5zfy0kkauQfxl1Z_4PeIP97rE5Jy4pgkPnc501M0VGWF3PjQrr5JGhWhnRAY7xdkQCIptJewXt5pLnGhXsv_5MnRv7YwPBvN1pb2mfzWAXQs7_pX/s1600/P1020513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOR6WFzjQdpZn616PdFo4DMv7qe40h5zfy0kkauQfxl1Z_4PeIP97rE5Jy4pgkPnc501M0VGWF3PjQrr5JGhWhnRAY7xdkQCIptJewXt5pLnGhXsv_5MnRv7YwPBvN1pb2mfzWAXQs7_pX/s1600/P1020513.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I added an antique hutch and chair </td></tr>
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This is probably the easiest part of the plan to implement, since that is my natural tendency anyway. And look at where I live. (See the blog header.) Easy-peasy, right? I am also focusing on less visible forms of beauty.<b> </b></div>
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<b>I will create beauty in my home and my writing room. </b></div>
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<b> I will listen to beautiful music. </b>(Another easy-peasy step.)</div>
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<b>I will notice and appreciate the beautiful things around me. </b></div>
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<b>I will surround myself with good people.</b></div>
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<b>I will do random acts of kindness.</b></div>
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<b>I will be beautiful outside and inside.</b></div>
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<b>I will only use beautiful words. </b>(No gossiping, complaining, yelling, etc.)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">How do you create beauty in your life?</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUbAP8-kgz3CuVDMhFDb8K9mbxPG5csgPGV2iKWw-LcnAlXbGTpgar5d5hfD6LeVr3ux5rCQMy0Ka2oERMcoqu4E5Wxvsj9Ptxe5UZbCcA4KDP1acxCmM1RfQPjU3gATag1goihqipYbH/s1600/P1020681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUbAP8-kgz3CuVDMhFDb8K9mbxPG5csgPGV2iKWw-LcnAlXbGTpgar5d5hfD6LeVr3ux5rCQMy0Ka2oERMcoqu4E5Wxvsj9Ptxe5UZbCcA4KDP1acxCmM1RfQPjU3gATag1goihqipYbH/s1600/P1020681.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new bulletin board of inspiration<b><br /></b></td></tr>
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<br />Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-31209393570944876362014-04-12T12:43:00.000-06:002014-04-12T12:47:49.353-06:00The New Writing Plan: I will let go of my need for wordly rewardsSo a couple of weeks ago, I told you about my <a href="http://notesfromthewritingchair.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-new-plan-or-one-day-at-time.html" target="_blank">New Writing Plan. </a>I took some time off writing for Spring Break, because I was feeling creatively empty. Now I'm back and ready to put this plan into action.<br />
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Though the plan isn't in any particular order, the first thing that came to my mind when I thought about my future in the writing business was this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUxDMZm4J7PreJP8z_CLv0JqZj8Yjfk0cetekEyg1MCIH_pXynq_Lz8lkyKhSZFiJWyg22YjMQL0egxmbKbrKkxHp2rDwmxpyz5iQjizLHjIMT4o8B1h0g1_zzBmD9f_edSCXFDrrTqPu/s1600/money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUxDMZm4J7PreJP8z_CLv0JqZj8Yjfk0cetekEyg1MCIH_pXynq_Lz8lkyKhSZFiJWyg22YjMQL0egxmbKbrKkxHp2rDwmxpyz5iQjizLHjIMT4o8B1h0g1_zzBmD9f_edSCXFDrrTqPu/s1600/money.jpg" height="156" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I will let go of my need for worldly rewards.</span></span></span></div>
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This, I think, is one of the most important steps for me. Here are my thoughts on how to achieve that.<br />
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<b>I will only check book sales on the last day of each month.</b><br />
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<b></b><b>I will not ask for reviews, award nominations, or popularity votes.</b><br />
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<b>I will not post "brag" posts about my books.</b><br />
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<b>I will not look at any rankings of any kind.</b><br />
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<b>I will not read reviews.</b><br />
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<b>I will do only minimal marketing, such as maintaining my social networks, blogging, and taking advantage of opportunities that come my way. </b><br />
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Yes, I basically decided to stop marketing my books. I'm afraid that's just shooting myself in the foot, but I feel it is necessary, at least for now, if I am to regain any joy in writing. So. We'll see how this goes.<br />
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<br />Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494197888792366753.post-68188778423988706582014-04-01T06:00:00.000-06:002014-04-01T06:00:18.443-06:00Apocalypse Panel Question #2: Why draws me to write apocalyptic stories?It's time for the <a href="http://www.randylindsay.net/2/post/2014/03/apocalypse-panel-why-we-write-doom.html" target="_blank">Apocalypse Panel</a> again! This month's question is a little less nightmare inducing. :)<br />
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<b>What draws you to write apocalyptic stories?</b></div>
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To be completely honest, I'm not sure I am drawn to write apocalyptic stories. But I can tell you why I felt drawn to write <a href="http://www.angielofthouse.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">Defenders of the Covenant</a>, which features apocalypse-by-alien-invasion. This is from my <a href="http://www.angielofthouse.com/" target="_blank">website:</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXmoRFPuRDIz3mbvdtLqBc6JvtD-fl1Lx4uURbgMEAUB52_FfsO5Du0kgETFYtZuXPPPiuIxigyXzBfqzwopYzBN8SspfY1tubYthy0q_g7idIj1fRG-wYYwPxBDuUyzKEaGBJUzWaTOf/s1600/DefendersoftheCovenantCover12Mar12web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXmoRFPuRDIz3mbvdtLqBc6JvtD-fl1Lx4uURbgMEAUB52_FfsO5Du0kgETFYtZuXPPPiuIxigyXzBfqzwopYzBN8SspfY1tubYthy0q_g7idIj1fRG-wYYwPxBDuUyzKEaGBJUzWaTOf/s1600/DefendersoftheCovenantCover12Mar12web.jpg" height="200" width="126" /></a><i>I first came up with the idea for Defenders of the Covenant while pondering the question of how far I would go to keep the covenants I have made. I take those covenants very seriously. What might I be asked to sacrifice? My life? Something harder? My mind churned up a worst case scenario of an alien invasion and a mother asked to give up her child to save the human race. That led to the short story which eventually became the novella, Consecrated.<br /><br />I was fascinated with the "what if" behind that story. What if aliens invaded Earth? How would my church react? That was the basic grain of the novel. </i><br />
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For me, I wasn't thinking so much about the end of the world as I was about faith. Writing about the end of the world is an excellent way to delve into concepts of faith and loyalty and all sorts of things. Will I write any more apocalyptic stories? Hard to say. I don't have any in the works right now, but I never what sort of ideas are going to rear up and take hold of me.<br />
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<b>What do you feel drawn to write?</b></div>
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Be sure to check out the responses of the other <a href="http://www.randylindsay.net/the-gathering.html" target="_blank">panelists!</a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445455787485222068noreply@blogger.com5